Major infrastructure work is set to begin Monday to accommodate the adaptive reuse of Rolling Mill Hill’s historic trolley barns.

Phil Ryan, Metro Development and Housing Agency executive director, said Thursday the MDHA-overseen work will include the placing of underground conduits, electric service lines and storm drainage lines; the demolition of existing roadway segments; and the grading of Peabody Street and Lea Avenue.

MDHA has selected Franklin-based Civil Constructors to handle the $1.3 million project, which is expected to require four months of work.

"We’re bringing the infrastructure there to allow the developer to bring in tenants to help these great old building," Ryan said.

Bert Mathews, who is serving as point man for the project's leasing/management team at Colliers International, said a number of letters of intent have been signed and should soon be converted to leases.

"For all of Rolling Mill Hill — not only the Trolley Barns, but a variety of buildings — in these first steps this infrastructure work will help make the buildings market ready," said Mathews, president of The Mathews Company and a principal with Colliers International.

High-profile future tenants that have announced a move to the vintage trolley barns, which are located south of the Central Business District and overlook the Cumberland River, include Emma and the Center for Nonprofit Management. Tenants could move in by the end of summer 2011.